Status of Water Quality in King Talal Reservoir Dam, Jordan

Abstract

This work intends to monitor and assess the current water quality conditions at King Talal Dam (KTD), Jordan, based on vertical profiles and longitudinal surveys. While the surface distribution of water quality parameters in KTD varied spatially, their variations showed no distinct trends. Lateral and horizontal variations in water quality in KTD are probably linked with photosynthesis, sampling period, closeness to Zarqa River and Wadi Rmemeen, and water depths, among other factors. The vast majority of water quality parameters in KTD dammed reservoir showed vertical profiles that either decrease slightly with increasing depth from the surface (temperature and dissolved oxygen) or remain relatively unchanged (major ions, trace elements). These results suggest that water has probably been vertically mixed. Data also demonstrated rock weathering as a dominant process governing the water chemistry of KTD reservoir water. Based on chlorophyll- a classification of Forsberg and Ryding [19], KTD reservoir is in a mesotrophic-eutrophic condition. Evaluation of water quality for irrigation use revealed that KTD reservoir water is suitable for irrigation purposes, except for Na% and total hardness.